Wakefield Trainer (oz7463)

About this Plan

Wakefield Trainer. Rubber trainer model.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 09/11/2020: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Much potential Wakefield interest is missed by beginners in the art, because of construction difficulties. Also, our shrinking flying fields in number and size hamper flying of large ships. My sons, Steve and Greg, wanted to build a little trainer type rubber ship which would be simple to build and yet fly well in a small field. Steve built the wing, Greg the stab, and I the fuselage and prop. We finished it in a few evenings and it was easy to adjust for flying.

When you put 4 strands of 1/4 in Pirelli rubber in a 1-1/4 oz ship something has to happen. From 300 turns on up to 600 max, it nearly goes straight up. We were flying it late one afternoon, real easy on 100 turns and it flew off over 10 min OOS (why don't some of us ever learn to use a D/T every flight?). With the long tail moment arm and 50% stab it has no looping tendency under high power.

Low cost in time and money will interest many, so let's begin.

CONSTRUCTION: Wing: Cut trailing edge from 3/32 sheet; taper and pin to plan after cutting rib notches.. Install ribs next. Trim off trailing edge of the four ribs in the outboard panel. Install 3/32 sq, medium for leading edge. Next, install top spar and allow to dry overnight still pinned down. Install bottom spar next and soft balsa for wing tip. Sand wing smooth with fine sandpaper and add polyhedral joints and give a final sanding with light sandpaper.

Stab: Build same as wing except with no bottom spar.

Fuselage: It's easy. Cut out bottom from 1/16 soft sheet to dotted lines in plan view, and pin to board. Cut out two body sides from side view. Glue the two sides to bottom, and leave pinned down about 30 min. Next glue top on, and you're through except for sanding. Be careful as 1/32 sheet sides and top won't need much.

Add nose braces, sub-rudder, and rubber rear peg brace. Now add dethermalizer hook, and stab peg. Don't add wing mount until after covering. Cover with Jap tissue.

Propeller: This little prop should be easy with a bit of patience. Make two blades from 1/16 med sheet to size shown on plan. Glue 1/8 med sheet to each side at hub. Sand blade to airfoil shape same as you would a hand-launched glider. Hold blade under hot water faucet and twist blade to obtain undercamber and wash out at tip. When viewed from side, pitch at hub end should be approximately 45 degree angle. Hold prop over stove keep checking twisting until blade is dry..."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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